"The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2011 is awarded to the Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer 'because, through his condensed, translucent images, he gives us fresh access to reality.' "

In its biographical information about the 80-year-old Transtomer, the committee writes:

"After publishing poems in a number of journals, Tranströmer published in 1954 17 dikter (17 poems) — one of the most acclaimed literary debuts of the decade. Already apparent was the interest in nature and music that has informed a major part of his production. ...

"Most of Transtromer's poetry collections are characterised by economy, concreteness and poignant metaphors. In his latest collections, Sorgegondolen (1996; The Sorrow Gondola, 1997) and Den stora gatan (2004; The Great Enigma, 2006), Transtromer has shifted towards an even smaller format and a higher degree of concentration."

Two Nobel prizes have yet to be awarded. The Peace Prize will be announced Friday morning. The Nobel in economics is due to be announced on Monday.